MUSIC: NRBQ Coming to Town - GoLocal Interviews Terry Adams
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
MUSIC: NRBQ Coming to Town - GoLocal Interviews Terry Adams
The New Rhythm and Blues Quartet, better known as NRBQ, is bringing a "Holiday Hoedown" to Fall River's Narrows Center on December 30th, and longtime leader Terry Adams couldn’t be happier.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTGoLocal interviewed the 66 year old keyboardist, a mainstay in the band for over 45 years and the only original member still touring. Longtime fans known it’s not an understatement when Adams points out “We like to try different things, shake things up.”
Iconic Band
It could easily be argued that NRBQ was the original indie band, or at least the one with the greatest longevity. In 45+ years, they’ve built their audience show after outrageous show, surprising concert-goers at every turn.
The Quartet has played hundreds of shows over the years, no two the same. They're known for a varied set list, eclectic song selection, and their sense of humor – they’ve also been anointed the “house” band on The Simpsons.
Adams attributes that longevity to the band’s high energy level. “I’m as excited about playing now as I was when the band started,” he explained.
Keyboard Ace
In a way, Terry Adams has always been the “Q” in NRBQ. That’s “Q” for quirky - in his lyrics and his arrangements, incorporating Jazz, Rock, Barrelhouse Blues, Country, and other musical genres.
To say Adams can’t sit still on keyboards is no surprise to longtime fans ... he’s possibly the most active pianist since Jerry Lee Lewis. His mood on a particular night, in a particular place, might affect what the band plays.
“Every stage we take is different, there’s a different feel playing in California than playing in DC and the east coast. Depends where you play.”
He's looking forward to the band's return to the Narrows Center. "I love the room, they get really great sound. It's a great athmosphere."
New Album – Brass Tacks
NRBQ released a new record this summer, Brass Tacks, and it's won praise throughout the music world. “It was recorded live in the studio,” noted Adams. “We were reacting to each other. Everyone in the band writes songs… there are a lot of fresh songs.”
One track however, “Places Far Away,” is not so fresh. It was an unfinished tune that Adams started in the 1960’s when he was 15 years old.
The album is vintage “Q” and sounds so fresh it's almost like hearing a brand new band -albeit one heavily influenced by NRBQ … and Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Dr. John and just about every Pop band from the 60s to the present. It’s got some great songs and is a lot of fun to listen to.
Don’t expect to hear it on Pop radio though. They’ve never had a Top 40 hit, although the She and Him version of “Riding in My Car” was a YouTube sensation a couple of years ago. “I knew that song was going to be a hit record, just wasn’t sure when,” chimed Adams. You can credit the performance with introducing the hip band of the 1970s to the hipster crowd of the 2000s.
Future plans
It should come as no surprise that Adams is working on an offbeat new project, a piano album based on the compositions of Jazz great Thelonius Monk. “It’s not really Jazz,” Adams says of the album, “its different arrangements that are coming out of me.” Adams, who has been known to exhibit a streak of free jazz in performances, shared that the album should be out in the Spring of 2015.
Pre-New Years’ Eve Show
NRBQ appears at the Narrows Center for a special holiday show on Tuesday December 30th. They’ll be joined by longtime friends, the Whole Wheat Horns. You won’t want to miss this one! Tickets are available here.
Ken Abrams reviews Roots, Rock and Blues for GoLocalProv. E-mail him here.
Top 5 Winter Concerts
Fleetwood Mac at the Dunk
Fleetwood Mac, one of the original super groups of the 70s, returns to the area with a show at the Dunkin Donuts Center on January 28. The band totally killed it at two sellout shows this fall in Boston and we expect the same from the legendary group when they play the Dunk. Of course, the highlight for many fans will be the return of Christine McVie, who had been on hiatus since 1997. Check our review of the Boston show here for a little of what you can expect. Meanwhile, don’t stop thinking about this show.
Indigo Girls at PPAC
The Indigo Girls were in the forefront of the folk-rock revival in the 1980s. They’ve continued to develop artistically with fresh harmonies and ever relevant lyrics. With over 14 million albums sold, they’re the only duo to have Billboard Top 40 titles in the 80’s, 90’s, 00’s and 10’s. We’re looking forward to seeing how their usually stripped down sound plays when they are joined by the RI Philharmonic Orchestra at the Providence Performing Arts Center. The show is Friday the 13th of February, but we guarantee good fortune!
Nick Lowe at The Narrows
The absolute coolest holiday show around comes to the Narrows Center on Wednesday December 17 as Nick Lowe brings his “Quality Holiday Review” to Fall River. Along for the ride and backing Lowe will be Los Straitjackets, known for their Mexican wrestling masks and jammin’ guitar chops. Lowe is a well known producer and songwriter having penned hits like “Cruel to be Kind” and “What’s So Funny ‘bout Peace, Love, and Understanding.” Don’t miss this show next week at the Narrows Center.
George Clinton at Lupo's
The spectacle that is George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic is our funkiest pick for the Winter concert season. Clinton has been touring with a diverse group of musicians since the late 60s. He’s a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (the largest band ever inducted) and is coming to Lupo's on Friday February 20. They're even bringing along a new release – First You Gotta Shake the Gate. Good times are guaranteed for this one.
Mardi Gras Ball at Rhodes
Laissez les bon temps rouler! Boogie down to Rhodes on the Pawtuxet on February 28 for the 23rd Annual Cajun and Mardi Gras Ball. The biggest party of the season is always a sell out and this year should be no different with headliners Beau Soleil with Michael Doucet and Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. Can’t wait another six months till Rhythm and Roots? Then don’t miss the Mardi Gras Ball.
Honorable Mention I
Did we mention that it’s a really busy winter concert season? The Dunkin Donuts Center has a rock show with Linkin Park, Rise Against, and Of Mice and Men on January 24. Another legend, Mr. Neil Diamond, will shake up the Dunk on March 10. Mother Falcon returns to the Columbus Theatre on January 11 and Uncle Tupelo co-founder Jay Farrar is there on February 8. And catch rocker George Thorogood at Cranston's Park Theatre on March 8.
(Pictured: Neil Diamond)
Honorable Mention II
Acclaimed Indie artist St. Vincent, who’s 2014 album made numerous “Best Of the Year” lists is coming to Lupos on Sunday March 7th. Dianna Krall is at PPAC on March 4, on her “Wallflower” tour where she will re-interpret classic rock tunes. Other highlights include legendary party rockers NRBQ, who arrive at the Narrows Center for a pre-New Years Eve show on Tuesday December 30. The Narrows Center also has a Winter Blues Festival over MLK weekend with artists including Selwyn Birchwood, Yound Neil and the Vipers and Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds.
(Pictured: St. Vincent)
Coffeehouse Highlights
Common Fence Music in Portsmouth has its popular "Gathering of Fiddlers and Fishermen" on January 24 hosted by John Fuzek. You can also find folk-rocker Patty Larkin there on February 7. Stone Soup in Pawtucket has Marc Douglas Berardo with Tracie Potochnik and Steve Allain on February 7 and Roots performers Atwater-Donnelly visit on March 7. And Sandywoods has a Celtic holiday concert with Matt and Shannon Heaton on December 20.
(Pictured: Patty Larkin)
